The Lords of Day, Night, Direction, Space, and Wind Speak
This installment completes fascicle three: the lords of day, night, direction, space, and wind — five of the fifteen classes of nature-spirit first named in fascicle one — each restate their roster with a liberation gateway unique to every lord, and one lord from each class speaks a verse in praise of the Buddha on the whole class's behalf, each stanza naming another lord in turn.
The Lords of Day
復次,示現宮殿主晝神,得普入一切世間解脫門;發起慧香主晝神,得普觀察一切眾生皆利益令歡喜滿足解脫門;樂勝莊嚴主晝神,得能放無邊可愛樂法光明解脫門;華香妙光主晝神,得開發無邊眾生清淨信解心解脫門;普集妙藥主晝神,得積集莊嚴普光明力解脫門;樂作喜目主晝神,得普開悟一切苦樂眾生皆令得法樂解脫門;觀方普現主晝神,得十方法界差別身解脫門;大悲威力主晝神,得救護一切眾生令安樂解脫門;善根光照主晝神,得普生喜足功德力解脫門;妙華瓔珞主晝神,得聲稱普聞眾生見者皆獲益解脫門。
Furthermore, the Day-Lord Manifesting the Palace attained the liberation gateway of universally entering every world. The Day-Lord Bringing Forth the Fragrance of Wisdom attained the liberation gateway of universally observing every living being, benefiting them and causing their joy to be fulfilled. The Day-Lord Delighting in Supreme Adornment attained the liberation gateway of emitting the boundless, delightful light of the Dharma. The Day-Lord of the Fragrant Flower's Wondrous Light attained the liberation gateway of opening the pure mind of faith and understanding in boundless living beings. The Day-Lord Universally Gathering Wondrous Medicine attained the liberation gateway of gathering the power of universal, adorning light. The Day-Lord Delighting to Act with a Joyful Eye attained the liberation gateway of universally awakening every living being, whether in suffering or joy, causing them to attain the joy of the Dharma. The Day-Lord Beholding Every Direction, Universally Manifesting, attained the liberation gateway of the distinct body manifest throughout the Dharma-realm of the ten directions. The Day-Lord of Great Compassion's Might attained the liberation gateway of rescuing and protecting every living being, bringing them peace and joy. The Day-Lord Whose Wholesome Roots Shine Forth in Light attained the liberation gateway of universally producing the power of merit that is joyful and content. And the Day-Lord of the Wondrous Flower's Garland attained the liberation gateway of a renown universally heard, so that every living being who sees it gains benefit.
爾時,示現宮殿主晝神,承佛威力,普觀一切主晝神眾而說頌言:
「佛智如空無有盡,光明照耀遍十方,
眾生心行悉了知,一切世間無不入。
知諸眾生心所樂,如應為說眾法海,
句義廣大各不同,具足慧神能悉見。
佛放光明照世間,見聞歡喜不唐捐,
示其深廣寂滅處,此樂莊嚴心悟解。
佛雨法雨無邊量,能令見者大歡喜,
最勝善根從此生,如是妙光心所悟。
普入法門開悟力,曠劫修治悉清淨,
如是皆為攝眾生,此妙藥神之所了。
種種方便化群生,若見若聞咸受益,
皆令踊躍大歡喜,妙眼晝神如是見。
十力應現遍世間,十方法界悉無餘,
體性非無亦非有,此觀方神之所入。
眾生流轉險難中,如來哀愍出世間,
悉令除滅一切苦,此解脫門悲力住。
眾生闇覆淪永夕,佛為說法大開曉,
皆使得樂除眾苦,大善光神入此門。
如來福量同虛空,世間眾福悉從生,
凡有所作無空過,如是解脫華瓔得。」
At that time, the Day-Lord Manifesting the Palace, sustained by the Buddha's majestic power, universally beheld the whole assembly of Day-Lords, and spoke a verse, saying:
"The Buddha's wisdom is like space, without end, its light shining forth pervading the ten directions,
understanding the mental conduct of living beings entirely, and there is no world it fails to enter.
Knowing what every living being's mind delights in, he teaches accordingly the whole ocean of the Dharma,
its phrases and meanings vast and each distinct — the Day-Lord Fully Endowed with Wisdom is able to behold this in full.
The Buddha emits light to illumine the world, and seeing or hearing it brings joy that is never wasted,
showing its profound and vast place of quiescent extinction — this the Day-Lord of Supreme Adornment awakens to in his heart.
The Buddha rains the rain of the Dharma without bound, causing those who see it great joy,
and the most excellent wholesome roots arise from it — this the Day-Lord of Wondrous Light has awakened to in his heart.
The power of awakening that universally enters every Dharma-gateway, cultivated purely across vast kalpas —
all of it is for the sake of gathering in living beings — this the Day-Lord of Wondrous Medicine has fully understood.
Transforming the multitude through every kind of skillful means, whether they see or hear it, all receive benefit,
causing every one to leap up in great joy — the Day-Lord of the Wondrous Eye beholds this.
The ten powers manifest in response throughout the world, leaving nothing of the Dharma-realm of the ten directions untouched,
their very nature neither nonexistent nor existent — this the Day-Lord Beholding Every Direction has entered.
Living beings, turning and flowing amid perilous difficulty, the Tathāgata, in compassion, appears in the world,
causing every suffering to be extinguished entirely — this liberation gateway the Day-Lord of Compassionate Might abides in.
Living beings, covered in darkness, sunk in an endless night, the Buddha teaches the Dharma to open and enlighten them greatly,
causing all to attain joy and remove every suffering — the Day-Lord of Great, Wholesome Light enters this gateway.
The Tathāgata's measure of blessing is the same as empty space, and every blessing in the world arises from it entirely;
whatever he undertakes is never done in vain — this is the liberation the Day-Lord of the Wondrous Flower's Garland has attained."
The Lords of Night
復次,普德淨光主夜神,得寂靜禪定樂大勇健解脫門;喜眼觀世主夜神,得廣大清淨可愛樂功德相解脫門;護世精氣主夜神,得普現世間調伏眾生解脫門;寂靜海音主夜神,得積集廣大歡喜心解脫門;普現吉祥主夜神,得甚深自在悅意言音解脫門;普發樹華主夜神,得光明滿足廣大歡喜藏解脫門;平等護育主夜神,得開悟眾生令成熟善根解脫門;遊戲快樂主夜神,得救護眾生無邊慈解脫門;諸根常喜主夜神,得普現莊嚴大悲門解脫門;示現淨福主夜神,得普使一切眾生所樂滿足解脫門。
Furthermore, the Night-Lord of Universal Virtue's Pure Light attained the liberation gateway of the great valor of the joy of tranquil meditative absorption. The Night-Lord of the Joyful Eye Beholding the World attained the liberation gateway of the vast, pure, and delightful mark of merit. The Night-Lord Guarding the World's Vital Essence attained the liberation gateway of universally manifesting in the world to tame living beings. The Night-Lord of the Tranquil Ocean-Voice attained the liberation gateway of gathering a vast mind of joy. The Night-Lord Universally Manifesting Auspiciousness attained the liberation gateway of a profound, sovereign, and delightful voice. The Night-Lord Universally Bringing Forth Tree-Flowers attained the liberation gateway of the vast treasury of joy fulfilled by light. The Night-Lord Guarding and Nurturing All Equally attained the liberation gateway of awakening living beings and ripening their wholesome roots. The Night-Lord Delighting in Joyful Play attained the liberation gateway of the boundless loving-kindness that rescues and protects living beings. The Night-Lord Whose Every Faculty Is Forever Joyful attained the liberation gateway of universally manifesting the gate of great compassion's adornment. And the Night-Lord Manifesting Pure Blessing attained the liberation gateway of universally fulfilling the delight of every living being.
爾時,普德淨光主夜神,承佛威力,遍觀一切主夜神眾而說頌言:
「汝等應觀佛所行,廣大寂靜虛空相,
欲海無涯悉治淨,離垢端嚴照十方。
一切世間咸樂見,無量劫海時一遇,
大悲念物靡不周,此解脫門觀世覩。
導師救護諸世間,眾生悉見在其前,
能令諸趣皆清淨,如是護世能觀察。
佛昔修治歡喜海,廣大無邊不可測,
是故見者咸欣樂,此是寂音之所了。
如來境界不可量,寂而能演遍十方,
普使眾生意清淨,尸利夜神聞踊悅。
佛於無福眾生中,大福莊嚴甚威曜,
示彼離塵寂滅法,普發華神悟斯道。
十方普現大神通,一切眾生悉調伏,
種種色相皆令見,此護育神之所觀。
如來往昔念念中,悉淨方便慈悲海,
救護世間無不遍,此福樂神之解脫。
眾生愚癡常亂濁,其心堅毒甚可畏,
如來慈愍為出興,此滅怨神能悟喜。
佛昔修行為眾生,一切願欲皆令滿,
由是具成功德相,此現福神之所入。」
At that time, the Night-Lord of Universal Virtue's Pure Light, sustained by the Buddha's majestic power, beheld the whole assembly of Night-Lords everywhere, and spoke a verse, saying:
"You should all behold the Buddha's own conduct: vast and tranquil, the very mark of empty space,
the boundless ocean of desire entirely subdued and purified, free of defilement, upright and solemn, illumining the ten directions.
The whole world delights in beholding it, encountered but once in an ocean of immeasurable kalpas,
his great compassion embracing every being without exception — this liberation gateway the Night-Lord Beholding the World perceives.
The Guide rescues and protects every world, and living beings all behold him directly before them,
causing every realm of rebirth to become pure — thus the Night-Lord Guarding the World is able to contemplate this.
The Buddha, in ages past, cultivated the ocean of joy, vast and boundless, beyond measure;
and so there is none who beholds it without delight — this is what the Night-Lord of the Tranquil Voice has fully understood.
The Tathāgata's domain cannot be measured, tranquil and yet able to proclaim itself throughout the ten directions,
universally causing the minds of living beings to become pure — the Night-Lord of Auspiciousness, hearing this, leaps up in joy.
The Buddha, amid living beings without merit, manifests great, adorning blessing, majestic and resplendent,
showing them the tranquil, extinguished Dharma free of defilement — the Night-Lord Universally Bringing Forth Flowers awakens to this path.
Manifesting great spiritual transmutation universally throughout the ten directions, taming every living being entirely,
causing every kind of form and color to be seen — this the Night-Lord of Guarding and Nurturing beholds.
The Tathāgata, in every single thought of ages past, purified entirely the ocean of compassionate skillful means,
rescuing and protecting the world without exception, pervading everywhere — this is the liberation of the Night-Lord of Blessed Joy.
Living beings, forever confused and turbid in their ignorance, their minds firm in a poison utterly dreadful,
the Tathāgata, in compassion, appears for their sake — this the Night-Lord dispelling enmity is able to awaken to with joy.
The Buddha, in ages past, practiced for the sake of living beings, causing every one of their vows and wishes to be fulfilled;
and by this he fully accomplished the mark of merit — this the Night-Lord Manifesting Pure Blessing has entered."
The Lords of Direction
復次,遍住一切主方神,得普救護力解脫門;普現光明主方神,得成辦化一切眾生神通業解脫門;光行莊嚴主方神,得破一切闇障生喜樂大光明解脫門;周行不礙主方神,得普現一切處不唐勞解脫門;永斷迷惑主方神,得示現等一切眾生數名號發生功德解脫門;遍遊淨空主方神,得恒發妙音令聽者皆歡喜解脫門;雲幢大音主方神,得如龍普雨令眾生歡喜解脫門;髻目無亂主方神,得示現一切眾生業無差別自在力解脫門;普觀世業主方神,得觀察一切趣生中種種業解脫門;周遍遊覽主方神,得所作事皆究竟生一切眾生歡喜解脫門。
Furthermore, the Direction-Lord Abiding Everywhere in All Things attained the liberation gateway of the power of universal rescue and protection. The Direction-Lord Universally Manifesting Light attained the liberation gateway of accomplishing the spiritual work that transforms every living being. The Direction-Lord Adorned in a Course of Light attained the liberation gateway of breaking through every dark obstruction and giving rise to joy. The Direction-Lord Traveling Everywhere Unobstructed attained the liberation gateway of manifesting universally in every place without any effort wasted. The Direction-Lord Forever Cutting Off Confusion attained the liberation gateway of manifesting names equal in number to every living being, bringing forth merit. The Direction-Lord Roaming the Pure Sky Everywhere attained the liberation gateway of forever uttering a wondrous voice, causing all who hear it to rejoice. The Direction-Lord of the Cloud-Banner's Great Voice attained the liberation gateway of raining down like a nāga universally, causing living beings to rejoice. The Direction-Lord of the Undisturbed Topknot and Eye attained the liberation gateway of the sovereign power that manifests the karma of every living being without distinction. The Direction-Lord Universally Beholding the Deeds of the World attained the liberation gateway of contemplating every kind of karma within every realm of rebirth. And the Direction-Lord Journeying and Surveying Everywhere attained the liberation gateway of bringing every undertaking to its ultimate completion, giving rise to joy in every living being.
爾時,遍住一切主方神,承佛威力,普觀一切主方神眾而說頌言:
「如來自在出世間,教化一切諸群生,
普示法門令悟入,悉使當成無上智。
神通無量等眾生,隨其所樂示諸相,
見者皆蒙出離苦,此現光神解脫力。
佛於闇障眾生海,為現法炬大光明,
其光普照無不見,此行莊嚴之解脫。
具足世間種種音,普轉法輪無不解,
眾生聽者煩惱滅,此遍往神之所悟。
一切世間所有名,佛名等彼而出生,
悉使眾生離癡惑,此斷迷神所行處。
若有眾生至佛前,得聞如來美妙音,
莫不心生大歡喜,遍遊虛空悟斯法。
佛於一一剎那中,普雨無邊大法雨,
悉使眾生煩惱滅,此雲幢神所了知。
一切世間諸業海,佛悉開示等無異,
普使眾生除業惑,此髻目神之所了。
一切智地無有邊,一切眾生種種心,
如來照見悉明了,此廣大門觀世入。
佛於往昔修諸行,無量諸度悉圓滿,
大慈哀愍利眾生,此遍遊神之解脫。」
At that time, the Direction-Lord Abiding Everywhere in All Things, sustained by the Buddha's majestic power, universally beheld the whole assembly of Direction-Lords, and spoke a verse, saying:
"The Tathāgata, sovereign, appears in the world, teaching and transforming every multitude of living beings,
universally revealing the Dharma-gateway and causing them to awaken and enter it, so that all will accomplish unsurpassed wisdom.
His spiritual transmutation, immeasurable, equal to living beings themselves, manifests every form according to their delight,
and whoever beholds it is blessed to depart from suffering — this is the power of liberation of the Direction-Lord Manifesting Light.
The Buddha, amid the ocean of living beings covered in darkness, manifests the great light of the torch of the Dharma for their sake,
and that light shines everywhere so that nothing is unseen — this is the liberation of the Direction-Lord Adorned in Light.
Fully endowed with every kind of worldly sound, he universally turns the Dharma-wheel so that all understand,
and living beings who hear it have their afflictions extinguished — this the Direction-Lord Traveling Everywhere has awakened to.
Every name that exists in the world, the Buddha's name arises equal to them all,
universally causing living beings to depart from ignorance and confusion — this is the domain the Direction-Lord Forever Cutting Off Confusion walks.
If there is any living being who comes before the Buddha and is able to hear the Tathāgata's beautiful, wondrous voice,
there is none whose mind fails to give rise to great joy — the Direction-Lord Roaming the Empty Sky Everywhere awakens to this Dharma.
The Buddha, within each and every instant, rains down the boundless, great rain of the Dharma universally,
causing every living being's affliction to be extinguished entirely — this the Direction-Lord of the Cloud-Banner has fully understood.
Every ocean of karma that exists in the world, the Buddha reveals it all, equally, without distinction,
universally causing living beings to remove their karmic confusion — this the Direction-Lord of the Undisturbed Topknot and Eye has fully understood.
The ground of omniscience is without any bound, and the minds of every living being are of every kind,
and the Tathāgata illumines and beholds them all with total clarity — this vast gateway the Direction-Lord Beholding the World's Deeds has entered.
The Buddha, in ages past, cultivated every practice, every immeasurable pāramitā entirely fulfilled,
his great loving-kindness and compassion benefiting living beings — this is the liberation of the Direction-Lord Journeying Everywhere."
The Lords of Space
復次,淨光普照主空神,得普知諸趣一切眾生心解脫門;普遊深廣主空神,得普入法界解脫門;生吉祥風主空神,得了達無邊境界身相解脫門;離障安住主空神,得能除一切眾生業惑障解脫門;廣步妙髻主空神,得普觀察思惟廣大行海解脫門;無礙光焰主空神,得大悲光普救護一切眾生厄難解脫門;無礙勝力主空神,得普入一切無所著福德力解脫門;離垢光明主空神,得能令一切眾生心離諸蓋清淨解脫門;深遠妙音主空神,得普見十方智光明解脫門;光遍十方主空神,得不動本處而普現世間解脫門。
Furthermore, the Space-Lord of Pure Light Universally Shining attained the liberation gateway of universally knowing the minds of every living being in every realm of rebirth. The Space-Lord Universally Roaming, Deep and Vast, attained the liberation gateway of universally entering the Dharma-realm. The Space-Lord Bringing Forth an Auspicious Wind attained the liberation gateway of thoroughly understanding the bodily mark of the boundless domain. The Space-Lord Free of Obstruction, Abiding in Peace, attained the liberation gateway of being able to remove the karmic and afflictive obstruction of every living being. The Space-Lord of the Vast Stride and Wondrous Topknot attained the liberation gateway of universally observing and reflecting upon the vast ocean of conduct. The Space-Lord of the Unobstructed Light-Flame attained the liberation gateway of the light of great compassion that universally rescues every living being from calamity and difficulty. The Space-Lord of Unobstructed, Supreme Strength attained the liberation gateway of universally entering the power of merit that is attached to nothing. The Space-Lord Free of Defilement with Light attained the liberation gateway of causing the mind of every living being to depart from every covering and become pure. The Space-Lord of the Deep and Distant, Wondrous Voice attained the liberation gateway of universally beholding the light of wisdom throughout the ten directions. And the Space-Lord Whose Light Pervades the Ten Directions attained the liberation gateway of manifesting universally in the world without ever moving from his own place.
爾時,淨光普照主空神,承佛威力,普觀一切主空神眾而說頌言:
「如來廣大目,清淨如虛空,
普見諸眾生,一切悉明了。
佛身大光明,遍照於十方,
處處現前住,普遊觀此道。
佛身如虛空,無生無所取,
無得無自性,吉祥風所見。
如來無量劫,廣說諸聖道,
普滅眾生障,圓光悟此門。
我觀佛往昔,所集菩提行,
悉為安世間,妙髻行斯境。
一切眾生界,流轉生死海,
佛放滅苦光,無礙神能見。
清淨功德藏,能為世福田,
隨以智開覺,力神於此悟。
眾生癡所覆,流轉於險道,
佛為放光明,離垢神能證。
智慧無邊際,悉現諸國土,
光明照世間,妙音斯見佛。
佛為度眾生,修行遍十方,
如是大願心,普現能觀察。」
At that time, the Space-Lord of Pure Light Universally Shining, sustained by the Buddha's majestic power, universally beheld the whole assembly of Space-Lords, and spoke a verse, saying — here in shorter, five-character lines, distinct from the sevens used everywhere else in this fascicle:
"The Tathāgata's vast eye is pure, like empty space,
universally beholding every living being, understanding all with total clarity.
The Buddha's body, a great light, shines universally throughout the ten directions,
dwelling manifest in every place — the Space-Lord Universally Roaming beholds this path.
The Buddha's body is like empty space, unarisen, grasping nothing,
attaining nothing, without any nature of its own — the Space-Lord Bringing Forth the Auspicious Wind beholds this.
The Tathāgata, across immeasurable kalpas, broadly teaches every noble path,
universally extinguishing the obstruction of living beings — the Space-Lord of the Perfect Light awakens to this gateway.
I behold the Buddha's practice in ages past, the bodhi-conduct he gathered,
entirely for the peace of the world — the Space-Lord of the Wondrous Topknot walks in this domain.
The whole realm of living beings turns and flows in the ocean of birth-and-death;
the Buddha emits light that extinguishes suffering — the Space-Lord of the Unobstructed sees this.
The treasury of pure merit is able to become the world's field of blessing;
according to wisdom it opens and awakens beings — the Space-Lord of Power awakens to this.
Living beings are covered by ignorance, turning and flowing along a perilous path;
the Buddha emits light for their sake — the Space-Lord Free of Defilement is able to realize this.
Wisdom is without any bound, manifesting entirely in every land,
its light illumining the world — the Space-Lord of the Wondrous Voice thus beholds the Buddha.
The Buddha, in order to liberate living beings, practices throughout the ten directions;
such is his great vow of mind — the Space-Lord Universally Manifest is able to contemplate this."
Every other verse in fascicles two and three is built from lines of seven characters, each split by a caesura into two phrases of seven — a meter that runs, in one continuous form, from the very first hymn spoken by the deva king of Maheśvara through to this point. The Space-Lords' hymn alone switches to lines of five characters, a shorter, plainer meter. Whether the Chinese source intends this as a deliberate stylistic shift — space itself given the sparest possible line — or simply reflects an older, separately transmitted verse block folded into the assembly at this point, this translation preserves the change exactly as the source presents it.
The Lords of Wind
復次,無礙光明主風神,得普入佛法及一切世間解脫門;普現勇業主風神,得無量國土佛出現咸廣大供養解脫門;飄擊雲幢主風神,得以香風普滅一切眾生病解脫門;淨光莊嚴主風神,得普生一切眾生善根令摧滅重障山解脫門;力能竭水主風神,得能破無邊惡魔眾解脫門;大聲遍吼主風神,得永滅一切眾生怖解脫門;樹杪垂髻主風神,得入一切諸法實相辯才海解脫門;普行無礙主風神,得調伏一切眾生方便藏解脫門;種種宮殿主風神,得入寂靜禪定門滅極重愚癡闇解脫門;大光普照主風神,得隨順一切眾生行無礙力解脫門。
Furthermore, the Wind-Lord of Unobstructed Light attained the liberation gateway of universally entering the Buddha-dharma and every world. The Wind-Lord Universally Manifesting Valiant Deeds attained the liberation gateway of making vast offerings wherever a buddha appears in immeasurable lands. The Wind-Lord Buffeting the Cloud-Banner attained the liberation gateway of universally extinguishing the sickness of every living being through a fragrant wind. The Wind-Lord of Pure Light's Adornment attained the liberation gateway of universally producing wholesome roots in every living being, causing the mountain of heavy obstruction to be crushed. The Wind-Lord Whose Strength Can Exhaust the Waters attained the liberation gateway of being able to defeat the boundless host of evil Māras. The Wind-Lord of the Great Voice Roaring Everywhere attained the liberation gateway of forever extinguishing the fear of every living being. The Wind-Lord Whose Topknot Hangs from the Treetop attained the liberation gateway of the ocean of eloquence that enters the true mark of every dharma. The Wind-Lord Coursing Everywhere, Unobstructed, attained the liberation gateway of the treasury of skillful means that tames every living being. The Wind-Lord of Palaces of Every Kind attained the liberation gateway of entering the gate of tranquil meditative absorption, extinguishing the most heavy darkness of ignorance. And the Wind-Lord of Great Light Universally Shining attained the liberation gateway of the unobstructed power that accords with the conduct of every living being.
爾時,無礙光明主風神,承佛威力,普觀一切主風神眾而說頌言:
「一切諸佛法甚深,無礙方便普能入,
所有世間常出現,無相無形無影像。
汝觀如來於往昔,一念供養無邊佛,
如是勇猛菩提行,此普現神能悟了。
如來救世不思議,所有方便無空過,
悉使眾生離諸苦,此雲幢神之解脫。
眾生無福受眾苦,重蓋密障常迷覆,
一切皆令得解脫,此淨光神所了知。
如來廣大神通力,克殄一切魔軍眾,
所有調伏諸方便,勇健威力能觀察。
佛於毛孔演妙音,其音普遍於世間,
一切苦畏皆令息,此遍吼神之所了。
佛於一切眾剎海,不思議劫常演說,
此如來地妙辯才,樹杪髻神能悟解。
佛於一切方便門,智入其中悉無礙,
境界無邊無與等,此普行神之解脫。
如來境界無有邊,處處方便皆令見,
而身寂靜無諸相,種種宮神解脫門。
如來劫海修諸行,一切諸力皆成滿,
能隨世法應眾生,此普照神之所見。」
At that time, the Wind-Lord of Unobstructed Light, sustained by the Buddha's majestic power, universally beheld the whole assembly of Wind-Lords, and spoke a verse, saying:
"Every dharma of every buddha is exceedingly profound, and his unobstructed skillful means is able to enter universally,
forever appearing in every world that exists, and yet without mark, without form, without any image at all.
Behold how the Tathāgata, in ages past, made offerings to boundless buddhas within a single thought —
such valiant bodhi-conduct the Wind-Lord Universally Manifesting Valor is able to awaken to and understand.
The Tathāgata's rescue of the world is inconceivable, and every skillful means he employs is never wasted,
causing every living being to depart from suffering entirely — this is the liberation of the Wind-Lord of the Cloud-Banner.
Living beings without merit suffer every torment, forever confused and covered by heavy coverings and dense obstructions;
he causes all of them to attain liberation — this the Wind-Lord of Pure Light has fully understood.
The Tathāgata's vast power of spiritual transmutation vanquishes and destroys the whole host of Māra's army entirely,
and every skillful means he uses to tame them the Wind-Lord of Valiant, Majestic Strength is able to contemplate.
The Buddha, from his pores, proclaims a wondrous voice, and that voice pervades the whole world universally,
causing every suffering and fear to be put to rest — this the Wind-Lord Roaring Everywhere has fully understood.
The Buddha, throughout the whole ocean of every land, forever expounds the Dharma across inconceivable kalpas;
this wondrous eloquence of the Tathāgata's own ground the Wind-Lord of the Treetop Topknot is able to awaken to and understand.
The Buddha, within every gateway of skillful means, enters it with wisdom entirely unobstructed,
his domain boundless and unequaled — this is the liberation of the Wind-Lord Coursing Everywhere, Unobstructed.
The Tathāgata's domain is without any bound, and every skillful means, in every place, is made visible,
and yet his body is tranquil, without any mark at all — this is the liberation gateway of the Wind-Lord of Palaces of Every Kind.
The Tathāgata, across an ocean of kalpas, cultivated every practice, and every power was thereby brought to full completion,
able to accord with worldly dharma in response to living beings — this the Wind-Lord of Great Light Universally Shining beholds."
Wind closes fascicle three's roster of nature-spirits, and with it the earthly half of the great "restating" that began in fascicle two: attendant spirits (執金剛神 and the rest, fascicle one's opening classes) and the remaining nine terrestrial classes — city, earth, mountain, forest, medicine, harvest, river, sea, and water — have not yet been restated with their own liberation gateways and verses. Whether the sūtra returns to complete them in a later fascicle, or the pattern established here and in fascicle two turns out to cover only the classes it has covered so far, will only become clear from fascicle four onward.
Part 7 Complete — Fascicle Three Complete
This closes Part 7, and with it fascicle three of the Avataṃsaka Sūtra: the lords of day, night, direction, space, and wind, each restating a class first named in fascicle one, each now paired with a liberation gateway unique to every lord, each class closing in a hymn of praise. Together with Part 6, this completes fascicle three's full roster: the eight classes of non-human kings and five classes of nature-spirit, thirteen classes restated and sung in all. Fascicle four continues this same assembly further still.